Trends in antidepressant prescriptions among the elderly in Alberta during 1997 to 2004.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze trends in antidepressant (AD) prescription rates among the elderly (aged 65 years and older) in Alberta during 1997 to 2004.


METHODS
Numerical data on AD prescriptions were obtained from Alberta Blue Cross. Age-standardized prescription rates were calculated according to type of AD.


RESULTS
The prescription rate for all ADs combined increased by 59% for men and 55% for women. This change was due entirely to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other recently-introduced ADs, that by 2004 accounted for 72% of AD prescriptions for men and 69% for women. For each year and type of AD, the prescription rate for women was almost double that for men.


CONCLUSIONS
In the elderly in Alberta, prescription rates for ADs increased markedly during 1997 to 2004, especially for SSRIs and other recently introduced ADs.
Newman
Stephen C
SC
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. stephen.newman@ualberta.ca
Schopflocher
Don
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000416:Alberta; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012737:Sex Factors
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors